Page 63 of Stuck On Them

“In my experience working with someone you’re romantically involved with is tough. And with three?” I realized what I’d just said a little too late and inwardly cringed.

I didn’t want them to know just how complicated the whole situation with my ex had been. It’s one thing for a relationship to fall apart, but another thing entirely when work is involved.

Libby looked between the four of us. “Well, I think it would be good, that way you have more time with each other. It’s romantic, really.”

Ethan was staring at Ryker. “It would be good to have someone there to remind you it’s five o’clock and time to go the fuck home.”

“Or to convince you to take time off because you’re hacking up a hairball,” Luca muttered.

Ryker flipped his hand over, lacing our fingers together. It was unexpected and heat crept up my neck to my face. Everyone seemed to be watching his every move.

“Does anyone care what I think?” Garrett had been quiet and now had his arms crossed over his chest.

An awkward tension passed between my three men, and I remembered what Garrett told me about their professional and personal relationships being strained. I’d never noticed it before, but now that I thought about it, I could see what he meant.

I squeezed Ryker’s hand because he was just staring at Garrett.

“Of course we care what you think.” Luca reached forward and grabbed a cracker, a piece of cheese, and a slice of salami.

“Go ahead,” Ryker said, his tone indifferent but also having a bit of a quiver to it.

“If that night had never happened, we’d hire her in a heartbeat. I looked at her resume and the notes Sue took during the interview. She’s more than capable of handling the workload... and us.” He finally broke his stare down with Ryker to look at me. “You can work for me and Luca.”

Harper stood, drink in hand. “Well, I think that’s our cue to go get our rooms all situated. I want to go in the pool too.”

“That’s a great idea.” Libby stood and looked down at Ethan, tilting her head as she stared at him.

“Fine. I guess I’ll go too to keep you girls out of trouble.” Ethan winked at me as he followed the girls downstairs.

Luca sighed. “This is why there’s a no-work policy on this yacht.”

Ryker was the quiet one now and I looked over at him to find red creeping up his neck to his jaw.

“For fuck’s sake.” I stood, ignoring Luca’s protest, and went to the part of the sectional where they weren’t. “Why would I want to work in an environment where the three of you are one wrong comment away from biting each other’s heads off?”

“What did you mean ‘from your experience’ regarding workplace relationships?” Ryker leaned forward, his hands clasped between his knees.

Ah, shit. I should have known he’d want to circle back to that. “I’ve seen a friend struggle with the aftermath of a breakup.” I could consider myself my own friend, couldn’t I?

Ryker didn’t seem convinced but let it go, turning his attention back to Garrett. “You can’t just make position description decision changes and not include me.”

“You can’t decide to fire someone because you’re scared,” Garrett scoffed.

“You wanted her gone too!” Ryker raised his voice and I grimaced.

Luca looked between his two best friends, a helpless expression on his face.

Was this how it always was between the three of them? Surely if it was, they wouldn’t still be friends or work together.

Luca leaned toward me like he was going to tell me a secret. “For the record, I didn’t want to fire you.”

Garrett finished taking a long gulp of his drink. “Why would I care if she worked for us when I don’t even want to work for us?”

“What are you talking about?” Luca’s moment of playfulness was gone.

“I’m not happy.” Garrett slouched in the sectional, resting his head on the back of it. “I haven’t been for a while.”

“I don’t think any of you have,” I said quietly, but loud enough for all three to hear. “Is the money even worth it if none of you are happy?”

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